wayfaringwordhack: (Default)
wayfaringwordhack ([personal profile] wayfaringwordhack) wrote2010-03-03 04:40 pm

Halong Bay, Vietnam

The number one reason we came to Vietnam was to visit the Unesco World Heritage site Halong Bay. With its 1969 islands, the bay is vast, and we only saw a very small part of it on our 3-day cruise. The glimpse was worth it, though. We may not have had blue skies, but the myriad isles and calm water were still lovely. And the lack of rain, a real blessing.




The PalomaSuite on the Paloma
The Paloma
Our boat. Definitely one of the top four on the water.
Suite on the Paloma
Our suite. Complete with private balcony. Why yes, we do know how to splurge...
Floating villageRower in bamboo boat
Floating village
The floating fishing village of Vung Vieng
Rower in bamboo boat
Vung Vieng seems to get by on fishing, pearl culturing, and toursim. Teenage girls and women, but some young men, meet the tourist boats in their little woven bamboo embarkations and row visitors around the village.
Kayaking foolsHalong Bay from vantage point
Kayaking fools
We took up the paddles, too. Had to get a little exercise!
Halong Bay from vantage point
After exercise for the arms, we hiked up one of the islands to get a different view of Halong Bay.



I'd like to say we didn't hear a single horn while out on the water, but like ol' Abe, I cannot tell a lie...

Ah well, it is Vietnam.*

____________
*Thanks to the French; it'd be China, otherwise. ;)

[identity profile] frigg.livejournal.com 2010-03-03 10:31 am (UTC)(link)
Looks lovely. :)

[identity profile] mnfaure.livejournal.com 2010-03-03 01:51 pm (UTC)(link)
It was pretty lovely all right. :)

[identity profile] navicat.livejournal.com 2010-03-03 11:39 am (UTC)(link)
Fantastic photos! Hope you're enjoying your holiday from your holiday ;)

[identity profile] mnfaure.livejournal.com 2010-03-03 01:52 pm (UTC)(link)
I did. :D It's nice to just stop sometimes.

[identity profile] jongibbs.livejournal.com 2010-03-03 12:31 pm (UTC)(link)
The Paloma looks amazing :)

[identity profile] mnfaure.livejournal.com 2010-03-03 01:53 pm (UTC)(link)
We were very happy with our choice, especially when we saw the condition of some of the other boats. o.O

[identity profile] mindseas.livejournal.com 2010-03-03 12:42 pm (UTC)(link)
The overcast and slightly foggy background looks just perfect for the scenery, especially the in bamboo boat picture. I also like the colorful reflections of the floating village.

[identity profile] mnfaure.livejournal.com 2010-03-03 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, the lighting definitely lent ambience to the place. The colors in the villages were great, so cheerful.
clarentine: (Default)

[personal profile] clarentine 2010-03-03 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Awesome suite, folks! And that place is seriously sprouting story mushrooms in the basement.

[identity profile] mnfaure.livejournal.com 2010-03-03 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)
And that place is seriously sprouting story mushrooms in the basement

So you see them, too, eh???
pjthompson: (Default)

[personal profile] pjthompson 2010-03-03 08:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Absolutely lovely! I want to go there.

[identity profile] mnfaure.livejournal.com 2010-03-04 02:15 am (UTC)(link)
It is lovely, but it is also sad. There are some very dirty parts where the water is absolutely filthy. They told us we could go for a swim, but no one wanted to. :-S

[identity profile] bwa-lele.livejournal.com 2010-03-04 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
Trop cool la suite, on s'embĂȘte pas les biquitos!

Je vous embrasse

Caggy!

[identity profile] mnfaure.livejournal.com 2010-03-04 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
non, on s'embĂȘte pas du tout. :D

Gros bises.